1938-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-1411 and DMR-009, this 1938-D Lincoln Wheat Cent DDR-003 is a dual variety that also carries the DDO-001 obverse designation. Three progressive die stages document its working life: Stage A in early die state where the obverse is listed as DDO-001, Stage B in mid die state showing a light die crack on the coat above V.D.B., and Stage C in late die state with a die crack running northwest from Lincoln's eye and a stronger crack on the coat above V.D.B. The reverse doubling manifests as medium extra thickness on E PLURIBUS and on the wheat ears and stems — areas where even modest hub doubling becomes readily apparent under magnification. Victor David Brenner's wheat ear reverse design, with its fine parallel lines and delicate lettering, registers doubled die impressions with particular clarity. The Denver Mint's 1938-D production of over 20 million cents provided ample material for variety hunters, and finding this DDR-003 paired with its DDO-001 obverse on a single coin confirms that both dies served together throughout their operational lifespan.

Die Markers

• UVC-1411
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• Reverse is EDS
• Obverse is LISTED as DDO-001 – EDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse is MDS
• Light die crack on coat above V.D.B. – MDS
• Stage C:
• Reverse is LDS
• Light die crack Northwest from eye – LDS
• Stronger die crack on coat above V.D.B.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jose Cortez
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References